Working Hours: The statutory working hours in Singapore are 44 hours per week. Most local companies operate on a 5.5-day work week, which includes full days from Monday to Friday (8 hours) and Saturday mornings (4 hours). There are also many companies (mostly foreign) that adopt a 5-day work week, with daily working hours of approximately 9 hours. Employees working on manufacturing production lines typically work in shifts, with their working and resting hours determined by the company.
Leave: Generally, employees are entitled to 7 to 14 days of annual leave in their first and second years, with the number of leave days increasing to between 9 and 18 days in the third year. Unless it is for surgery or hospitalization, most companies also stipulate that the accumulation of sick leave cannot exceed 2 weeks in a year.
Probation Period: The typical probation period in most companies is 3 months, although a few companies may extend it to 6 months. During the probation period, employers assess the employee's capabilities and performance while providing appropriate training. Employees can also use this time to adapt to the company's environment. Unless bound by other contractual obligations, both employers and employees can terminate the employment relationship with one week's notice (or compensation equivalent to one week's salary) during this period. If both parties are satisfied, the employee may be converted to a permanent position, usually with an increase in salary. During the probation period, employees typically do not enjoy the benefits that permanent employees receive, such as sick leave and medical reimbursements.
Bonuses: By convention, most companies provide employees with a bonus equivalent to one month's salary in December, referred to as the 13th-month bonus or year-end bonus. Some companies also determine the year-end bonus based on the employee's length of service, with different tiers such as 1.1 months, 1.25 months, etc. Companies with good performance may also issue special bonuses at irregular intervals, allowing employees to share in the company's profits.
Salary: Salaries are typically paid monthly, although some companies may pay bi-monthly. To prevent delays in salary payments, the salary law stipulates that salaries must be paid at least once a month. For Singapore citizens and permanent residents, employers are required to contribute to their Central Provident Fund. For employees under 55 years old, the current total contribution rate is 32% of the salary, with the employer contributing 12% and the employee contributing 20%. Therefore, their actual salary is 112% of the nominal salary, while the amount they can spend is 80%.
Work Injury Compensation: According to the Work Injury Compensation Act, employees who are injured or fall ill due to work will receive compensation from their employer. In the case of death due to work, the employee's family will receive compensation. As of January 1, 1996, the maximum compensation for permanent injury is SGD 147,000, while the maximum compensation for death is SGD 111,000. Additionally, employers must also cover medical expenses, hospitalization fees, and continue to pay the employee's salary during their recovery period.
Resignation: Unless bound by other contractual obligations, employees must give one month's notice to their employer when resigning. For holders of employment passes and work permits, resignation means the invalidation of their passes. Unless they can find a new employer to reapply for a pass, they must leave Singapore.
Layoffs: Generally, companies provide compensation to employees who are laid off. Typically, employees with less than 3 years of service receive compensation of one week's salary for each year of service, while those with more than 3 years receive one month's salary for each year. Of course, the specific amount of compensation depends on the company's financial situation and cannot be generalized.
